Effects of a Treadmill Workstation on Coagulation Potential

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IntroductionApproximately 2.7 million blood clot‐induced events occur each year, including most strokes and heart attacks. An upright, seated position reduces blood flow, promotes blood pooling, viscosity, and may active the coagulation system. Thus, occupational environments that include prolonged periods of seated work may contribute to the formation of a thrombus. Use of an active workstation may beneficially impact thrombolytic potential.PurposeTo observe the effects of low intensity walking at a treadmill workstation on changes in coagulation potential compared to use of a traditional, sedentary workstation.MethodsFive apparently healthy college‐aged students (n= 4 men, 1 woman; 22 ± 2 yrs; 27.3 ± 6.2 kg/m2) completed the same series of mental tasks at a sedentary workstation and while walking one mile‐per‐hour at a treadmill workstation. Blood samples were collected at baseline and immediately after completion of tasks and analyzed for the following: prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (APTT), factor VII (FVII), factor VIII (FVIII), and fibrinogen (FGN).ResultsThe walking condition elicited greater responses in FVII compared to the sedentary condition at baseline. Additionally, there was a non‐significant trend observed for FVIII. All data presented in Table 1.ConclusionLow intensity walking at a treadmill workstation can attenuate prothrombotic changes that are associated with completing tasks at a sedentary workstation.